If you're a fan of the gin cocktail and are looking for a tasty version that's more appropriate to cool weather than a summer cocktail like the gin fizz or regular gin and tonic, then this drink recipe is for you. A tea cocktail conjures up visions of cozy sweaters and apple orchards, even if this classic cocktail is served cold instead of hot. The Chai Gin & Tonic is autumn in a glass.
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To make this alcoholic drink, you start with chai tea. Okay, so in India, chai actually means tea, so what you're starting with is masala chai, or spiced tea. Masala chai generally has some combination of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, allspice and star anise, and those spices are combined with black tea for a warm and soothing hot drink. For the Chai Gin & Tonic, combine a cup of apple cider and a cup of sugar in small saucepan and heat the mixture until the sugar is dissolved. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1/4 cup of loose chai tea (your favorite loose chai tea blend is perfect). Let the tea steep for three minutes, then strain the simple syrup and let it cool.
When you're ready to make your Chai Gin & Tonic, mix 6 oz gin and 4 oz Apple Chai Syrup. You can use gin from your favorite distillery, though we think a dry gin is especially good with this recipe. Pour into four glasses and top off with tonic water. Add some apple slices as a garnish and enjoy!
This fall cocktail recipe is perfect for a lazy weekend brunch or a happy hour after an afternoon playing in the leaves. If for some reason an apple chai gin drink isn't your thing, you can use the apple chai simple syrup in other drinks as well. For an easy recipe to make a nonalcoholic toddy, mix the syrup with hot apple cider.
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Chai Gin & Tonic
Ingredients
For The Apple Chai Simple Syrup
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup loose chai tea
For The Apple Gin and Tonic
- 6 oz gin
- 4 oz Apple Chai Syrup
- tonic water
- sliced apples
Instructions
For The Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan add the apple cider and sugar and heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the loose tea. Let sit 3 minutes. Strain the mixture and cool.
For The Gin and Tonic
- In a pitcher combine the gin and apple chai syrup and stir. Pour the mixture into 4 iced glasses and top with tonic water. Serve with slices of apple.
